Romancing the Rogue (29 page)

As his boots slipped through the mud, he yelped. His arms flailed as he fought to regain his balance.

But to no avail.

Water shot toward the sky as he splashed in headfirst. He submerged beneath the wetness. Head. Chest. Legs. And finally boots. Geese honked and flapped their wings, rising into the air, feathers and feet dripping, as they escaped the loud intrusion into their home. The hat thief dropped his white, lacy prey back into the pond. It settled on the surface, floating as lazily as a cloud in a windless sky.

Seconds ticked by as nothing about the water stirred.

Lucy’s hands flew to her face. “No! Oh no! Mr. Barrow! Where are you?” Had he hit his head and drowned? Her heart raced in her chest. What would she do if he didn’t come back up? Should she jump into the pond to try to save him? She took a step forward. Then another.

The water bubbled. She let out a whoosh of air when his hand appeared above the surface. His glove was missing. It must have come off when he hit the water. His other hand, also unclothed, joined the first, waving back and forth. His head, with hair dripping, finally peeked above the water. He gulped in air, gasping for breath.

“Mr. Barrow! Here, let me assist you.”

He stood up, shoulder-high in the water, and waved her away. “We don’t need both of us falling in the pond.” Water streaming from his clothes, he carefully took one step, then a second, until he climbed over the lip surrounding the pond.

“Well, that was quite the adventure, I must say.” He collapsed on the grass and huffed out a loud breath. “Not every day I take an unplanned swim. I’m only sorry I couldn’t find your hat.”

“But that’s where you’re mistaken.”

“I beg your pardon?”

She pointed up.

For her hat, her very expensive, lacy white hat now rested in a soggy clump.

On Mr. Barrow’s head.

With raised eyebrows, he lifted his gaze.

Up.

And up.

Until he peered at the brim peeking out over his forehead. “Ah. I see. Not quite my style, now is it?” A grin formed, raising both corners of his mouth.

Covering her mouth with her hand, she sputtered a giggle. Tears, unbidden, streamed from her eyes. It was unseemly to laugh at the man, especially under the circumstances since he was only doing it to assist her.

But…

As if joining in, nearby ducks let loose with raucous quacking sounding quite like laughter. Lucy chuckled with them and wiped her eyes. “It seems they agree with you, Mr. Barrow.”

“Yes. Indeed.” He pointed to his head. “Perhaps they think a darker shade more appropriate?”

Lucy widened her eyes and stared behind him. “Uh… oh…
no.
”

He frowned. “What’s the matter, Miss—?”

The huge grey goose, otherwise known as the hat thief of the Bird Sanctuary pond, flapped its huge wings and landed just behind Mr. Barrow, who shivered. Was it from the cold of being wet, or did he sense that they were no longer alone?

Honk! Honk!

Gasping, Mr. Barrow turned his head to the side in time to see the goose lunge.

At his head.

And Lucy’s hat.

“Ahhh!” Mr. Barrow closed his eyes just as the hat was snatched from his head.

Lucy reached forward, nearly losing her fingers as the goose snapped at her. “Oh!” She drew back her hand as if burned. “What a
wicked
goose. Mr. Barrow, are you hurt?”

He took a deep breath and turned slowly, looking behind him. The goose slid into the water with the hat in his bill. Mr. Barrow shook his head. “I’m fine. But what is it about that hat that fascinates that goose so?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t. Perhaps it knows it’s my favorite?”

“It is a lovely hat, I’ll grant you that.” He smirked.

Lucy smiled. “Why thank you, kind sir.”

They stood and watched as the goose swam farther into the water. It let go of the hat and dove beneath the surface.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Mr. Barrow sighed. “I’m truly sorry I was unable to retrieve your favorite hat from the atrocious goose, Miss Ashbrook.”

“Thank you. I do appreciate your valiant effort. But at this point, I don’t think I would even desire to have it returned.” She pointed to the pond.

The goose had surfaced from the water.

Wearing the hat.

Mr. Barrow chuckled. “Understood.”

“
What in the world
happened to you, Oliver?”

He stepped into the dim light of the work shed where the Sanctuary housed the tools necessary for the upkeep of the grounds. The steady drip-drip-drip from his hair, chin, and elbows reminded him of sitting inside his father’s house on rainy days as a child. “Had a run-in with a hat.”

“Pardon?”

He laughed and waved the other man away with his hand. “Tried to rescue a fair damsel’s hat from a goose, but I ended up taking a swim instead.” What had he been thinking, speaking to her as he had? How improper. How gauche. And yet… when he had seen her sitting there, all reason had deserted him.

Richard, the chief groundsman, leaned forward on the handle of his dusty shovel. “A damsel, you say?”

Oliver shrugged. “Someone who came to sketch the birds. I only became acquainted with her this morning.”

“I see.” He raised his eyebrows.

“What do you see?” Oliver wrung water from the hem of his tweed coat, creating a puddle on the floor.
Hmm. Probably should have done that outside
.

“You’ve taken a fancy to her.”

Oliver eyed Richard. “I said I’ve only just met her.”
And yes, I have taken a fancy. How would Richard know that?

“What does that matter?”

“Quite a bit, I should think.” Oliver tapped his boot in impatience. He glanced down when he heard a tiny splat. Oh, right. The puddle.

“It was that way for me and the wife, God bless her soul. Saw each other one day. Married at Gretna Green the next week.”

Oliver dropped his jaw. “The next
week?
You certainly didn’t waste any time, man.”

Richard shrugged. “What’s there to waste time about? When you find the right one, you may as well marry her, because love is love.”

“Now you’re getting melancholy on me, Richard.” He raised a finger to emphasize his point and winced as water, turned cold, trickled beneath his sleeve.

“You can scoff all you want, Oliver, but I know what I’m about. Mark my words. You’ll be tied to this bird-sketcher before you know it. She may not know you are of similar stations, but you do. I’ll keep your confidence about your identity, but if she is someone of importance to you, you might want to tell her. And trust me. It doesn’t pay to waste time. My sweet wife has been gone five years now, but I don’t regret a single minute we were married.” He grasped the shovel at the middle of its handle and whistled an off-key tune as he left the shed.

Oliver reached for an old towel on the workbench, drying off his face and hair. He’d have to return home to change into dry clothes. He hoped he had another pair of work clothes clean, as it wouldn’t do to wear his usual hat, topcoat, and expensive boots to muck about the Sanctuary.

He shook his head as he stared at the empty doorway. Married. After a week! Certainly, Miss Ashbrook was comely and seemed intelligent and interesting, but he’d only just met her.

There was something about her, though. Those dark eyes. And brown curly hair. And that
hat.
Oliver sputtered a laugh.
Hilarious!
And to find at the end that she did indeed have a sense of humor. Most women he’d met would have thrown a fit, crying and sobbing over the hat’s demise. Wailing that they’d never have another like it and the world would surely end. Perhaps that was part of the reason he avoided any and all social interactions with his peers. He cared not for their company.

Miss Ashbrook. She’d seemed to take it in stride. Not getting upset about a piece of clothing. Oh, how refreshing it had been to spend time with her.

But, she also appeared to be someone of means. So would she, if not already spoken for, be in the hopes of finding someone of equal or greater wealth? Oliver had trudged down that particular road before. Women only wanted him for his riches and standing. He longed to find someone he could share his life with who valued him, loved him
for
him. Not for what he could provide or supply.

Was there any such woman about? Did she even exist? So far, he’d yet to make her acquaintance. Women he’d met seemed to desire material things more than taking the time to get to know Oliver as a man. His interests. What delighted him. How he loved to spend his time.

If there was a woman out there with those qualities, he’d like to meet her. Would
love
to meet her. A smile spread across his mouth.

Perhaps he’d even marry her in a week.

Miss Ashbrook’s face floated across his mind. There was something about her he found intriguing. Was it her interest in the birds? Her wide-eyed wonder at their beauty and splendor?

Or was it her apparent stubborn streak as he’d insisted he could not join her on the bench, but she just as vehemently insisted he must.

Adorable.

He could envision spending more time getting to know her. Would she be at the Sanctuary again soon? Since Oliver was there most days, he’d know soon enough. Now that he’d met her, and knew where she enjoyed sitting to watch the birds, he’d keep a careful watch for her visits.

But her attire and speech indicated she was well off. Would she be like all the others? Only putting value on material possessions and money?

Time would tell.

But perhaps… perhaps he could put it to a test, so to speak. She’d only seen him in his work clothes, as opposed to what he wore when not at the Sanctuary. So she had no idea that he wasn’t a regular worker there. Would it be possible for them to get further acquainted without her knowing how well off he and his father were?

That would be the only way to know for sure if Miss Ashbrook was as genuine as she seemed. And it was the only way for Oliver to know if she was different from all the rest.

~~~~

Lucy climbed from
the carriage with the groom’s assistance. She hurried toward the house, reaching the door as the butler opened it.

“Good day, Miss Ashbrook.”

“Good day, Alfred. Is Father about?”

“He’s in his study, miss.”

“Thank you.”

Lucy peeled off her gloves as she stepped toward her father’s private sanctuary. Knocking lightly on the door, she couldn’t wait to show him her latest drawing. She could see an improvement in her work. Would he notice? Would he even care?

“Come in.”

Father always sounded gruff… until he discovered it was Lucy. Then his whole demeanor softened. At least, as much as he could ever soften. He said it was because she reminded him so much of Mother, gone these last several years.

The door pushed open with a squeak. Lucy inhaled, loving the aromas of wood, leather, and her father’s pipe. She laid her gloves, drawing, and reticule on the settee and waited for her father to notice her.

He sat at his giant desk, a frown marring his ruddy face, pouring over something or other on papers beneath his hand. She tapped one boot lightly on the floor.
That should do it.
For some strange reason, her father could ignore a clap of thunder or a loud bark of a dog, but a sound as quiet as a whisper grasped his attention.

He sat up straight, eyebrows raised. “Ah, Lucy. How’s my little girl?”

“I’m well. I’ve been to the Bird Sanctuary, again, Father. It’s such a lovely place.” She sighed. Memories of not only the scenery of the Sanctuary, but one worker in particular made her smile. His dark eyes and hair, broad shoulders. And chivalry, as he’d dived into the pond to save her hat.

Her father eyed her discarded gloves and reticule and then narrowed his eyes at her. “Surely, child, you weren’t without a hat? Didn’t I see you with your new white one on earlier today?”

Heat crept up Lucy’s cheeks. “Yes, Father. I did have it, but—”

“But what? Did you come upon a wanton hat thief at the Sanctuary?” He chuckled, his voice loud and deep.

“In a manner of speaking.” She stepped closer to the desk.

“What’s that you say? A thief?”

“I’m afraid so. A very large, loud thief.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “You were accosted? Where was Anna? Wasn’t she with you? ”

Lucy bit her lip against the giggle threatening to emerge. “I’m afraid Anna wouldn’t have been able to protect me from this particular thief, Father.”

“And why should that be? She can be quite ferocious when it concerns you, you know. As a mother lion to her cub.”

“True, that. But this… perpetrator was vicious. With a frightening holler and a mean look to the eye.”

“We must call the magistrate at once! Where’s Alfred? Get me Alfred!”

“No. I’m afraid this thief is out of the magistrate’s realm. You see, this particular thief was wearing all grey.”

“Grey? And you found this color frightening?”

“And had a very large proboscis. Even
bigger
than Aunt Greta’s nose.”

“You don’t say. Must have been quite the sight.”

“And he was covered in…”

Her father sat forward, leaning his forearms on the desk. “Yes. Go on. Covered in…”

She clasped her hands in front of her. “Feathers.”

“But… I… wait.
Feathers?
Why would he be…?” He grinned. “Ah… you did say you were at the Bird Sanctuary, did you not?”

She nodded.

“So this heinous hat thief was none other than…”

“A goose.”

Her father threw he head back and roared with laughter. So loud the lantern on his desk rattled.

A hard rap on the door preceded Alfred. “Mr. Ashbrook? Are you ill? I thought I heard… uh… bellowing.”

Lucy’s father wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. “Quite fine, Alfred. Just sharing a humorous moment with my girl, here.”

Alfred’s face reddened. With wide eyes, he backed toward the door. “A million pardons, Mr. Ashbrook.”

“Think nothing of it, Alfred. But it’s good to know you can move so quickly when possible mayhem is occurring.”

“Yes. Very good, sir.” Alfred darted through the doorway and closed the door behind him.

Lucy sat on the settee, pushing aside her gloves and reticule. Would now be a good time to show him her drawing? But there was always the chance he would make fun of her efforts. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d hurt her feelings with insensitive remarks.

Her father dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief again. He then folded his hands and waited.
Lucy narrowed her eyes.
Oh no
. He only did that when he had something to discuss. Letting out a sigh, Lucy smiled.

And waited, as well.

She could out-stare him and he knew it.

Several seconds passed. Her father drummed his fingers on the desk. He coughed. And waited some more. Lucy pressed her lips together, desperately trying not to giggle. She gave him ten more seconds. Crossing her arms, she tapped her fingers on her upper arm.

In three… two… one…

“All right, Lucy. You win.”

“And just what did I win, Father?”

“You know I have something to say to you.”

“Yes. I know.”

“So why didn’t you simply ask what it was?”

“Because it vexes you to have to wait.”

“Yes, I’ve said it before. You are your mother all over again.”

“And that’s a good thing, correct?”

“Correct.” Drumming his fingers again, he cleared his throat. “I’m glad you had a pleasant time at the Bird Sanctuary. And even more pleased that you weren’t injured when accosted by that… goose.”

Lucy laughed. But her father had stopped smiling.
Hmm
. “Oh, excuse me, Father. Please continue.”

“Yes, well, I know you aren’t fond of being chaperoned, but you really must take Anna with you from now on.”

“But, Father, I’m getting older. It’s so confining to have to have someone with me all the time. I feel like a child.” The urge to stomp her foot was strong, but that would only have proven him correct.

“Nevertheless, you must be chaperoned. It simply won’t do for you to be prancing about London on your own.”

“But I wasn’t alone. I had Carlton with me. He was… nearby.” She was not going to tell her father that once she was by the pond, she was out of sight of the gate and therefore Carlton.”

“Be that as it may, Lucy, from now on, you will not go anywhere without Anna. I don’t want any daughter of mine being labeled as a hoyden, scampering about the city on her own.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow. “First I’m prancing, then I’m scampering? Really, Father…”

“Either you must be accompanied by Anna, or Anna and Conrad.”

A shudder coursed through her. “Conrad Croome may just sit in his mansion twiddling his thumbs for all I care.”

“But he wishes to marry you.” He tapped his quill on the desk.

Oh yes, how well she knew. Conrad had been after her since her coming out. She’d tried to let him down gently. At first. She'd danced with him, but only once, at each dance, reminding him that it wouldn’t be proper to ignore the other gentlemen who’d asked for a spin about the ballroom floor. Had entertained him in the parlor when he came to visit the morning after each and every dance. And when he’d asked for her hand, she’d politely, gently said no each and every time, the number of which she’d lost count.

After that, though, he’d seemed to appear on her doorstep at least once a week. Every time it was the same. The butler would admit him, show him to the parlor, and then announce to Lucy that she had a caller.

And every time she reached the parlor and saw that it was him… him with the icy blue eyes and pale, almost translucent skin, the clammy feel of his perspiration-soaked glove when he would take her hand for a kiss… every time she had to even be near the putrid, repulsive man with the foul breath, she nearly fainted.

Though she told him no, though she made it quite clear she had no interest nor would she ever, he continued to call on her. Lucy frowned. Father had always respected her wishes in the past but seemed to be softening toward Conrad.
Why?

“I care not for him.”

“Lucy, you’re two and twenty. Soon you’ll be too old and no one will want you. You must marry soon. In fact, I insist that you do.”

Lucy frowned. “But that’s not a reason to marry
him.
”

As disturbing as it was that she must share a small space with Conrad in the parlor and breathe his nauseating stench when he called, even more was the unanswered, perplexing question of
why
he still pursued her. The man was an earl. Surely there were desperate debutantes clamoring for someone of his title?

“His father and I were long acquainted. Transacting business together for years before he died.” Father’s faced reddened. Was that perspiration on his brow?

She narrowed her eyes. “Is that the whole of the purpose for me to wed Conrad? To aid in our family’s business?”

He had the decency to avert his glance. And shrugged. “But what of the suitors who wished to court you after your season? What of them? Was there not one among them who would do?”

“Father, those men were immature and crass. Thinking only of their own wealth and how much more they could accumulate by marrying me. Conrad fits into that category very well, I might add.”

“But if you do not marry someone soon, you’ll be living here. With me. For the rest of your life.”

Lucy held out her hand, palm up. “Would that truly be so awful, Father?”

“That’s not what I meant. Not at all. My point is that it wouldn’t be what was best for you. Don’t you desire your own home? Marriage? Children?”

“Of course I desire those things. But not with the men from my season. And not with Conrad. Never with Conrad.” She glanced out a nearby window, as if speaking of the horrid man in question would cause him to appear.

“He really isn’t all that bad, now is he? You’ve known him for years. He’s made no secret of the fact that he’d like to marry you.”

“I don’t love him.” She ran her fingers across the arm of the settee.

“Love? That’s what you’re worried about?”

“Yes. Of course. If I’m to spend the rest of my life with someone, it needs to be for love.”

“Lucy… Lucy. I’m afraid life doesn’t always work that way.”

“But you and Mother loved each other.”

“Yes. After a time. But when we met, it wasn’t so. It took years before we… had fondness for each other.”

“I don’t desire to marry someone I have to learn to love. I simply want to love. And be loved.”

Thoughts, even fleeting, of marrying Conrad, of having him kiss her, touch her… Her whole body chilled, not unlike the most frigid day in December.

But Mr. Barrow… Everything about him was pleasant. And seemed to bring about a warmth that started in her core and spread outward until she felt wrapped in a embrace at just the sight of him.

Her father sighed. “We’ve gotten off of our original subject. And don’t think I don’t know you did that on purpose. When you go out, you must be chaperoned. I insist on this, Lucy. Are we clear?” He lowered his eyebrows, a sure sign he wouldn’t budge on the issue. It would do no good to argue further.

Drat.

Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, Father.”

“Very good. I’m doing this for your own good. You know that, don’t you?”

He frowned. How was she to argue further with him when he did that? His gruff countenance resembled a bulldog in pain. “Yes, Father, I understand.” Walking around to his chair, she bent and placed a light kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”

“There’s a good girl.” He waved her toward the door and bent over his task again.
There was nothing to do now but leave him to his work.

A good
girl.
That‘s what everyone would think. Would a man, the right man, ever see her as more than her father’s little girl?